It was his second spell in charge of the capital club but the decision to marginalise veteran forward and modern great Totti became on ongoing saga, even if Roma's results on the field vindicated Spalletti's decision.

Totti made his final Roma appearance on the last day of the season against Genoa, with Spalletti's departure coming the following week, and the coach has admitted his regret over how the situation unfolded.

"Inter contacted me when I was about to finish the championship," Spalletti said in his first news conference as Nerazzurri coach. "[Roma president James] Pallotta had already been warned by me that I would be gone.

"After the farewell to Roma, this was the best thing that could happen to me. I say this without wanting anyone to take offence.

"In Rome, I had become the one that divided rather than united. There was this problem on the management of Totti.

"I came to see this contrast – the love for the most important player prevailed on the support and affection that we had to have for the team.

"In not being able to put the two things together, I did not do my job well. These two things must go hand in hand.